15 Great Places to Go On Your Next Vacation

Cross these off your travel to-do list

Vowing to travel more this year? Your business trips don’t count. As long as you’ve got the extra cash and spare PTO, we’ll do the planning for you: Here are 15 weekend getaways, mini-vacations, and much-needed escapes that you can brag about all year long.

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Surfing in warm weather: super fun. Doing it in frigid temperatures? Now that’s a real adventure.

Head north (where surfing peaks in the winter) to the Long Beach Lodge Resort, which has an on-site surf center on Cox Bay—one of the best breaks in North America.

You’ll find wetsuits, hot tubs, a sauna, big-screen TVs, and an onsite coffee bar. Apres surf takes place in the Lodge’s “Great Room,” which boasts killer panoramics of the Pacific and everything from local halibut caught off Tofino docks to BC craft beers.

When you’ve had enough of the sub-60-degree ocean temps, try your hand at zip-lining the Wild Kennedy River Canyon, driving ATVs around Port Alberni, and hiking the Pacific Rim National Park.

When you think of New England hot spots, Rhode Island typically sits in the background after Massachusetts and Vermont. Not anymore: The Break, the first boutique hotel in the surf village of Narragansett, is set to open this spring.

Hang at the rooftop lounge, one block from the beach; head down to surfer Peter Pan’s local shop for lessons; tee off at one of three golf courses in the area; or catch marlins and stripers on a fishing trips with C Devil Sportfishing. Narragansett is home to the second largest fishing port in New England.

Want to make a day of it? Take the ferry from nearby Point Judith to Block Island—the trip is less than an hour.

With 18-plus miles of trails, “Bikeville” is a hub for cyclist. Stay just outside of town at Hotel Domestique, founded by 17-time Tour de France rider George Hincapie—who has been known to lead rides along popular Swamp Rabbit Trail.

En route, you’ll find brewpubs, which are now legal in South Carolina, thanks to the recent passing of the Stone Law. Dark Corner Distillery is also the state’s first micro-whiskey and legal moonshine distillery. Tour, taste, or make your own.

And if four wheels are more your speed, take a spin around the nearby BMW Performance Track, part of the facility where every BMW X3, X5, X6, Z3, and now X4 has been built.

If you still think of Mexico as the site of your fuzzy Spring Break trip 10 years ago, Todos Santos will cast the country in a new light.

Picture the Sierra Laguna mountains, the Pacific Ocean, 30-plus miles of mountain biking trails, desert yoga platforms, and a slew of locally sourced eateries. The people are a quaint mix of surfers, artists, and fishermen—not herds of tourists.

For old times’ sake, book your flight to Cabo. It’s the closest airport at 50 minutes away.

Cars, crowds, and the most-attended sporting event in the world: What’s not to love?

On May 29, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host the 100th Indianapolis 500. Head out to Indy a day early for the IPL 500 Festival Parade, where 300,000 people line the streets to see larger-than-life floats, celebs, and marching bands, similar in stature to the Macy’s Day Parade.

Then, after the actual race, head over to Mass Ave. And don’t miss the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s.

Mountain bike in the warmer months—cross-country trail park The Emerald Outback hosted the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships in 2014—or ski in the winter. Grab a bite at 5506’ SkyBar at the top of Beech Mountain Resort, then hit the trails, which are all named after Led Zeppelin songs.

Colorado is consistently ranked one of fittest states in the country. The people are happier, the sun shines 365 days a year . . . you get the idea. But if you can’t pack your bags and move there, book a quick trip and ski or hike your way through the state’s most-discussed mountains.

Colorado is home to the most extensive backcountry hut system in North America—more than 30 amidst 350 miles of U.S. Forest Service trails. New spots to check out include the Point Breeze Cabin near Leadville and the Opus Hut near Durango.

Plus, the Tenth Mountain Division huts—many of which are named after the division of the U.S. Army that trained at Camp Hale and Ski Cooper during World War II—start at $33 per person.

Hey, we love America, but there’s something about the Canadian side of things that’s just better sometimes: Niagara Falls, Olympic hockey, and—in this case—the Rockies.

Across the border, you’ll find kayaking, white water rafting, climbing, hang gliding, and more (spelunking, anyone?) in the shadows of North America’s famed peaks. For easy access, stay at the Fairmont—the properties at Banff Springs and Lake Louise offer spectacular views.

Besides outdoor escapades everywhere you look, the Banff Springs Fairmont sports some seriously luxe spa services in a 38,000-square-foot location. After a day of adventure, you’ll need it.

It won’t cost you a dime to explore the waterfalls and wildlife of Vieques’ El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest Service. Then spend your evening at the can’t-miss natural wonder of Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay.

When activated by movement, microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates light up the shallow-water lagoon like stardust. (Hint: It’s super romantic.)

Splurge for sleeping arrangements at El Blok, the new “iconic inn by the sea.” It’s a contemporary swing on clean design and relaxation that’s catching everyone’s eye.

For a weekend trip, check out Castle Hotel and Spa—it’s only 30 minutes north of the Big Apple, sits atop one of the highest points in Westchester County overlooking the Hudson, and boasts an award-winning restaurant, Equus.

Those craving more adventure should head even further north to the Catskills—where adrenaline-inducing peaks paired with cross-country and snowshoeing trails meet mountain charm. Stay at Diamond Mills in Saugerties. Every room has a waterfall view.

Taste all the big names and sink your teeth into Kentucky bourbon history by touring the distilleries and tasting the booze for yourself: Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Woodford Reserve, and Jim Bean are all a stone’s throw from each other off the scenic trail.

The largest (and youngest) of the Hawaiian Islands has all but two of the world’s climate zones—and about everything else you ever wanted out of a vacation.

You can watch the sunrise on Maunakea, the world’s tallest sea mountain (one of the only places on earth you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours); stand at Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States; run like an Ironman along the popular Ali‘i Drive; swim off Kailua Pier; or explore the lava fields on a day-long volcano tour.

For a real wakeup, stay on an actual working coffee plantation at the Holualoa Inn—you’ll be hard pressed to find a corner with a bad view (or a bad brew, for that matter).

Bimini, the closest of the Bahamian islands, is 2 hours from Miami by boat. Seaplanes also land in the water right off the small islands.

Bimini is mainly famous for its underwater adventures—an epic paradise for snorkelers and divers alike. Bimini Road, a famed half-mile rock formation, is a diving hotspot not to be missed—it’s thought by some to have been part of the mystical deep-sea world of Atlantis.

Above sea level, stop by the Dolphin House mini-museum, and for a classic Caribbean staple, chow down on the conch salad beachside at Sherry’s Beach Bar.

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